The
sun was setting slowly on the horizon, turning the sky a bloody shade
of red. A shadow had been cast over the buildings of Suna, seemingly
vacant, with no sign of movement anywhere. No one walked the streets,
choosing to stay out of the rough evening conditions. The only
exception sat quietly on the roof of the Kazekage's mansion. Gaara
gazed down at the village, barely flinching as the wind picked up,
swirling the coarse desert sand around him. It had been a long day,
and the young Kazekage had taken the opportunity to get away from the
multitude of people that usually came to see him, and just have some
time to himself. Even against the wind, he could still hear footsteps
in his office, where he could tell that his brother had now taken
refuge. It was at time like this that Gaara had learned to appreciate
them the most. Although it was not really their place to do so, both
Kankuro and Temari often took over some of the duties that Gaara had
to perform as Kazekage, allowing him a break from the busy routine.
However, they still had their own duties to perform, as shinobi of
the sand, and there had been many times when Gaara had begun to miss
their now familiar presence around him.

Kankuro walked over to the large window in the office, glancing out
at the empty streets. Temari had just left to close the office for
the night, but Gaara had yet to return. Kankuro smiled sadly to
himself, shaking his head. Three years ago, he wouldn't have even
given it a second thought that Gaara wasn't in. If anything, he
would have been glad at his absence, for it was the only time that
could have relaxed, rather than always having to watch his back. Back
then, he had been little short of terrified of his younger brother,
and even the idea of having to be in the same room as him had
bothered him. But now, things were different. Kankuro wasn't quite
sure when, or even how, but Gaara had changed. As time went on, he
had stopped looking at Gaara as an enemy, even a threat, and was now
able to see him for what he was, his little brother. Turning back
into the room, he sat down in the chair nearest to him, waiting for
Temari to return. Even though he now trusted his brother, he couldn't
help but wonder where he went, sometimes for hours on end. It had
taken Kankuro a while to realise that at some point, he has actually
started worrying about his younger brother. He knew that Gaara could
take care of himself, but still couldn't help worrying if it seemed
that he had been gone for too long.

Looking
over at the door as Temari walked in, Kankuro knew that she was
feeling the same thing. Following his path, Temari went and stood by
the window, leaning lightly against the frame. It had now been
several hours since Gaara had left, and although he had nothing left
to do this evening, she was still concerned of his whereabouts.
Kankuro leant further back into the chair, sinking lower as he did.
The two of them had taken to doing this routine every evening,
waiting for the young Kazekage's return. It wasn't surprising
really, not when they thought about it. Kankuro knew that Gaara hated
the extra attention, and that it was probably the reason that he now
stayed out even later. But ever since the Akatsuki raid, they
couldn't help but worrying him. Kankuro had hated the feeling of
uselessness that he had felt, knowing that there had been absolutely
nothing that he could do. Even when he had tried to help, he had
failed, and nearly got himself killed in the process. And they had
come so close to losing him. If it hadn't been for elder Chiyo…
Kankuro didn't even want to think about the other option. For a few
hours, they had truly lost him. By all means, Gaara shouldn't even
be alive. But he was, and both Temari and Kankuro had sworn that they
would never let anything like that happen again.

Temari
stood silently, gazing at the clock on the wall. If Gaara didn't
come back soon, they would go looking for him. She knew that they
were being overprotective, but couldn't shake the feeling that
something bad could happen if they weren't. It wasn't as if Gaara
helped the matter. Temari had often requested of him that he at least
tell them where he was going to be, but he never did. It wasn't
really surprising, and she had never really thought that he would
agree to it. Even after all this time, Gaara liked to have his
privacy, and would still spend a lot of his free time off by himself.
But he did try. He would often make sure that he spent some of his
time with one or both of them, but whether that was out of his own
will, or because he could see that it pleased them, she was not sure.
But either way, she way glad to be able to have that time with him.
They had never before acted as if they were family, but it was
finally beginning to show. But as much as they might try, she knew
that they could never be the same as other families. You could see
such families out together in the streets, just enjoying spending
time with each other, and simply being there together. That sort of
bond took a lifetime to create, and although the three of them had
learned to care for one another, they could never duplicate the kind
of relationship that came from always having someone there for you.

Temari
glanced over at the picture on the wall, smiling as she saw it.
Catching Kankuro's eye, she nodded over to it, earning a small
smile from him. The picture had only been sent to them a few days
ago, and she had not expected to see it up so soon, if at all. The
picture had been taken when they had last visited Konoha, and showed
the three of them sat together, Ichiraku Ramen behind them. They had
made Gaara sit in the middle, and had both sat with their arms draped
over his shoulders, grins on their faces. Although Gaara looked
slightly uncomfortable, probably from the close contact, he had also
managed to sit there, a rare smile gracing his features. Kankuro sat
looking up at the picture. 'That was a good day' he said quietly,
still smiling at the thought.

'Did
we actually do anything that day?' asked Temari, who had moved to
have a better look at the photo. 'It felt like we just wasted time
wondering around the whole time.'

'Be
fair, it was a day off. And why not? I mean, other than missions,
it's not like we get out of Suna very often. And its not a bad
place really, even if some of the people are a bit weird…'

'A
bit
weird?
Isn't that being a bit too kind to them. I think some of them are
more than a bit
weird.'

'True.'
Chuckling at the memory of Gaara's reaction when Lee had tried to
go over and hug him. Even though Gaara was now on good terms with the
young shinobi, he still preferred to keep his distance. He had looked
as if he wanted to run as fast as possible in the opposite direction
when Lee had got too close.

'It was nice though' Temari
continued, leaning against the magnificent desk, which was currently
cluttered with paperwork. 'For all of us to just be able to go out
like that.' She hesitated for a second, before adding quietly, 'to
be able to spend time together.'

Kankuro
looked over in surprise, before nodding his head, in silent
agreement. He knew what she meant, even if it wasn't what he had
expected her to say. For that one day, they were able to go out, and
just act like normal people. No strict meetings, or a proper way in
which to behave. But just a day to go out and relax. And best of all,
they had been able to spend it together. It seemed just typical to
Kankuro, that as soon as they all start to get along, and want to
spend their time together, they have to do just the opposite. Ever
since Gaara had become Kazekage, they had all had less and less time,
to just be themselves. But that was just how it had to be. There was
no point questioning it, or even disagreeing with it. Their duty was
to the village first, and not to each other. But still…

Kankuro
got up and went back to the window. The sun had now set, and the
village was shrouded in darkness, the wind howling mournfully through
the buildings. Signalling to Temari, he got up, walking to the door
and out of the room, with her following closely behind. They headed
up the stairs, opening the door that took them out onto the roof,
exposing them to the elements. Stepping out into the wind, he spotted
Gaara over by the edge of the roof, leaning against the railing that
circled the top of the building. The two of them walked over, joining
him in silence, standing either side of him, and staring out over the
village. None of them spoke, but there was no need to. The mere
presence of the others was enough to make them each feel at peace. It
was all they needed, just being together. To know that, if they even
needed to, they could rely on each other. Sure, they weren't a
perfect family, but when it came down to it, did they really need to
be?

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